Developmental Red Flags

The following information was provided by the Early Intervention program Netcare Early Childhood Program, 1662 Ocean Avenue Brooklyn NY 11229

6 Months

Cognitive

Not inspecting own hands. Not banging objects together. Not playing with rattles. Not able to find partially hidden objects. Not searching for sounds with eyes. Not looking from one object to another. Not responding to people voice's - smiling, interacting.

Communication

Not responsive to any sounds. Doesn't turn head to source of sound/search for speaker. Does not make a variety of sounds using lips and mouth. Lacks verbal/non-verbal expressions of needs (differentiated cries, laughing, smiling)

Unusual stiffness or floppiness/weakness. Not holding head up without bobbing. Unable to reach for and grasp or shake rattles or toys. Not bringing hands together. Not banging objects together. Not moving toys from one hand to another.

Sensory

Fussiness whenever being held or cuddled (not molding to your body). Crying or fussing when help up in the air or during swinging. Fussing during bath time, when lotion is applied or when diaper is changed. Not maintaining eye contact with caregiver or responding to sounds. Continued unexplained crying without self calming (sucking fingers or rocking).

1 Year

Cognitive

Not being able to play 2-3 minutes with a single toy. Not sliding a toy on a surface. Not imitating new gestures. Not engaging in simple relational play (combining two different but related objects). Not overcoming obstacles to obtain objects. Not touching a toy or adult's hand to restart an activity. Not taking objects out of a container. Not rotating objects to find a functional side (bottle). Not throwing objects to watch the effects when they land. Displeasure with looking at pictures in book (with adult encouragement)

Communication

Does not respond to gestures. Does not recognize his/her name. Does not recognize names of common objects (cup, ball). Does not babbles. Does not imitate sounds.

Staying in one position and avoiding any transitions. Not sitting unsupported or moving around. Not pulling themselves to stand and stepping with support. Not holding small objects (cheerios, blocks). Not finger feeding. Favoring one hand and avoiding bilateral hand use.

2 Years

Cognitive

Putting less than three or more objects into a container. Inability to sort objects. Not handing a toy back to an adult when the action of the toy stops. Not moving around obstacles to get a desired object. Not looking to find an object when it rolls/is moved out of sight.

Communication

Only saying two or three words. Having no spontaneous speech. Still relying completely on gestures to express needs. Isn't able to recognize body parts. Does not understand directions. Does not understand "no". Words are unintelligible.

Emotional

Withdrawn behavior. Excessive rocking. Persistent lack of distress when separated from parents. Frequent irritability that does not respond to calming efforts. Night wandering.

Motor

Walking only with support. Not holding crayons. Not pulling toys that have wheels. Not climbing up or down one stair. Not turning pages in a book. Unable to nod their head to signal "yes".

Sensory

Avoidance of finger feeding and with drawl from new textures. "Stuck" immature play (only mouthing and banging toys). Uncomfortable with specific clothing. Poor exploration of toys (touch, vision, hearing).

3 Years

Cognitive

Does not demonstrate use of objects (shoe, telephone, brush). Unable to identify objects with their use (crayon, spoon, cup, shoe). Unable to identify body parts and their function. Does not use "size" words (big, little). Does not match/sort shapes. Does not match identical simple pictures of objects. Does not point to 5-7 pictures of familiar objects/people.

Communication

Not using phrases and sentences (nouns, verbs, tenses, possessives, adjectives, prepositions). Not able to follow two step directions. Not able to be understood by strangers

Emotional

Persistent fearfulness. Failure to make efforts to talk. Inability to play in any focused manner for ten minutes at a time. Intense and ongoing sibling conflict. Hyperactivity. Persistent and excessive aggressiveness. Slow recovery from angry outbursts. Severe and prolonged reaction to separation from parents.

Motor

Not walking up stairs holding a railing. Not able to stand on one foot for one moment. Not attempting to kick a large ball. Inability to open doors. Not beginning to snip with scissors. Not stacking objects by size.

Sensory

Excessive need for intense movement (jumping, rocking, swinging). Avoidance of movement altogether. Avoidance of outdoor play equipment (chose to remain grounded). Easily upset if routines or plans are changed. Inability to remain focused on a task with any amount of environmental visual or auditory activity.